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Open Poetry #35
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soul drifter
Senior Member
since 2004-09-08
Posts 711
Colorado

0 posted 2005-04-06 01:32 AM


Bounced Checks

Think I'll settle down with an actress
in a cozy little flat outside of Berkeley
where I can craft my restlessness
into bright green sunny melodies

Think I'll take my time deciding
on the color of my guitar
and control my smile as it's gliding
back to where you are

We met on a Greek island
we shared warm Mediterranean nights
my mind flashes back now and then
to her eyes beneath those city lights

She was saying something I couldn't hear
as the band struck up again
she was leaning forward, whispering in my ear
all I could hear was the impending rain

These days all I've been writing
are haikus on the back of bounced checks
these nights we've spent fighting
emotions piling up like a train wreck

Think I'll settle down with my madness
carry tunes to the air secretly
keeping feelings hid from my actress
that always seems to discover me

Think she'll find me out
my revving engine's too loud
and I'll try not to surrender to doubt
I'll step into my next life without a sound

Used to live my life like an open wound
used to ache and scratch for affection
now I've moved all my furniture to the moon
and I'm trying to evade her detection

I walk a razor's edge on the beach
the city smells like concrete and rain
her love letters are just out of reach
as rain blurs these words down the drain

So I post my love letter replies
on telephone poles in the downfall
and sketch the last look in her deadly eyes
she used to make me beg and crawl

The ghosts of my adorations
show up at my bachelor pad's door
I shuffle them away from my temptations
that leave me somehow wanting more

I need more from her, I guess
though I left her far behind
more for my soul I've pressed
against the windows in my mind

A night flight with a murder of crows
interrupts my cinematic dreams
the ones stuffed under my pillows
the ones made up from my wings

In these dreams I'm wide awake
looking for a hole ten feet wide
I can drop all the give and take
that love leaves hanging inside

The crows perch on the shopping mall
and I hang on the moon
she is waiting for phonecall
but I'm busy crying like a loon

Crying like a cloudy April day
sighing like a bone chilling wind
follow the storm till it fades to grey
and fall down once again

Think I'll make my way back to town
I've got love yet to discover
divorce proceedings coming down
I give half my songs to her

The other half of my songs
I print on a white t-shirt
so I can ensnare someone
and I can belong to her

But I think I'll take some time deciding
on the color of my love
and control my heart as it's climbing
up a fire escape to empy skies above

So tell me your feelings
can I live in your heart
she says it's me she's considering
so here I am, right back at the start

And I'll prove to you my feelings
so you see you live in my heart
we'll spend the day staring at the ceiling
painting in blue our deathless art

This deathless art
you've brought to me
you've played your part
and set me free

Thinking about settling down...


"Poets are all who love, who feel great truths, and tell them; and the truth of truths is love." --Philip James Bailey

© Copyright 2005 Zach Hilgefort - All Rights Reserved
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
1 posted 2005-04-06 10:32 AM


I seriously loved this!!

Why am I surprised at that you ask?  Because I have the attention span of a hyped up 4 yr old after drinking 2 quarts of red koolaid...

I usually can't read the long stuff..

I read every word of this!!

You rock!

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

2 posted 2005-04-06 10:36 AM


this touched my emotions, perhaps it's the day, but more likely the brilliance of your words, both intellectually and like an amazing flame....


Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2005-04-06 11:24 AM


Your soul drifted so poetically! I'm with Susan, unless a poem really grabs my attention, I cannot read the very long ones. Well, I read this one ~ and was captivated by it!

"more for my soul I've pressed
against the windows in my mind"

~ Those lines ~ and so many more! ~ are memorable!

May Light light up both your days and nights,
EA

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

4 posted 2005-04-06 11:29 AM


Brilliant write Zach.  I really enjoyed this one.
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
5 posted 2005-04-06 11:56 AM


A passionate heartsong, Zach. I'll keep this one to read again later, in a quiet moment of reverie. what beautifully written love poetry!
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